Curves & Cocktails comes to Manhattan: Interview with Founder Aja Stubbs
It ain’t easy being curvy in NYC. I may not be a “true” plus-size chick, but I’m definitely round enough that my tops ride up my belly and my boots never quite zip up all the way. Working in a building that houses a dozen modeling agencies where 6 foot goddesses are constantly roaming the hallways isn’t always a boost to my self esteem either. So that’s why Aja Stubbs’ mission struck a chord with me. As the founder of Curves & Cocktails, an organization that bills itself as “the ultimate girls night out for women with curves,” Aja has made it her mission to cater to curvy ladies who want a fun, guilt-free shopping experience…
Termeh Mazhari: What inspired you to start Curves & Cocktails?
Aja Stubbs: My inspiration for starting Curves & Cocktails was out of frustration. My friends and I – all plus size ladies – have attended various shop & socialize Girls Night Out events in NYC, and we all walked away disappointed in the lack of fashion choices for plus size ladies at each event. We all asked each other why couldn’t we have go to one of these events and find fashions for plus size ladies? Most of the samples stopped at a size 8, and if a designer had anything up to as size 12, that was “impressive”.
I had been thinking about creating a Signature Event for Belle-Noir Magazine (my online magazine for Plus Size women) for a while, and the idea came to me in a dream. The name, color scheme, everything.
Termeh Mazhari: Tell me about the upcoming Curves & Cocktails event in NYC…
Aja Stubbs: Curves & Cocktails will truly live up to its title of being “The Ultimate Girls Night Out for Women with Curves”. Taking place at the Avents Loft on W. 28th Street in New York City, the event will feature 20 vendors, all catering to and showing love to plus size women. We will have bra fittings sponsored by the makers of the Goddess, Fantasie and Elomi bras for full figured women. Larger busted ladies and full figured ladies often have a difficult time finding bras that fit properly, and most women do not know their true size. So we are pleased to bring this to our attendees. Our other vendors will include Qristyl Frazier Designs, who was recently featured on BET’s “Rip The Runway” Fashion Show, and vendors selling jewelry, handbags, crafts, books and more!
And what’s a girls night out without delicious cocktails and tasty treats? ToMA Vodka, Riunite Wine, Izze Sparkling Juice and The Water Shoppe have joined us as sponsors and will be providing our attendees delicious cocktails & non-alcoholic beverages to quench their thirst from all of the shopping they will be doing! (note: there’s going to be a cocktail called The Curvy Girl that is pure bliss!)
Plus, our VIP attendees will be treated to goodie bags that will contain brands such as Yardley of London and Dove, as well as gift certificates and coupons from Plus Fashion retailer Igigi, shoe designer Samanta Shoes, Dr. Susan Taylor’s Rx For Brown Skin, and gifts from some of our vendors.
Add on top of that raffle prizes every hour, and music by NYC’s own DJ Stealth? Plus size ladies, this event is going to be one not to miss!
Most importantly, since true Divas party with a purpose, a portion of proceeds will be benefiting One In Three Women, a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against Women (www.oneinthreewomen.com).
Termeh Mazhari: What do you love about being a curvy woman?
Aja Stubbs: To be honest, it took me a long time to love my curves. Like a lot of women, I often felt less than because I was not a perfect single digit size. However, as I got older, and learned how to dress to accentuate my positive assets, hide what I consider my “problem areas”, I realized that beauty is more than what size dress you wear. It is truly a combination of how you carry yourself, your outlook on life, a positive attitude, etc.
Termeh Mazhari: What message would you like to spread for all the curvy ladies of New York City?
Aja Stubbs: I would like all of the curvy ladies in New York City to 1) embrace their curves! God gave them to you for a reason. 2) Support the plus size community! There are so many women and men who are writing articles, posting blogs, hosting positive & uplifting event that are all catered to you! Come out to Curves & Cocktails, have a great time, and be inspired to live your life best life in a Big and Beautiful Way.
Curves & Cocktails
Saturday April 25th, 2009
15 W. 28th Street (10th Floor)
New York City
Noon to 6pm
General Admission: $15
Deluxe VIP Admission: $30
This entry was posted on Thursday, April 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pm and is filed under New York City Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
